Well, Angie's been wanting me to re-aquascape our 75 for awhile now and I've been putting it off until I set up the 113 cube(ish) tank. I planned on some of the live rock and corals from the 75 going into the 113, so I'd do it all at once. Obviously, some of my tank inhabitants agree with Angie and want it done sooner.
I woke up this morning, fed Coral Frenzy a couple hours before lights come on. As I was feeding, I noticed something out of place, but couldn't quite make it out without lights. After lights came on, I realized what was out of place. A LOT OF SAND!!! It would appear that my Pistol Shrimp has relocated overnight and dug a HUGE tunnel, undermining some rock.
Had I set up my 75 correctly, this wouldn't be a problem. However, I didn't...lol. When I set it up, I didn't realize the importance of placing Rock and then sand. Now I'm realizing the folly of my mistake. My tank was set up by placing the sand in first, and then aquascaping the rock on the sand. Most of the base rock was kinda pushed down into the sand, but I can see a possible disaster in the makings. Soooo, time to do a major re-aquascape.
I'm planning this for tomorrow when Madison's in daycare...lol. Otherwise, she'll want to help and that just won't work. I have several large rubbermaide containers and 2 32 gallon garbage cans to utilize. I'm making up one of the garbage cans full of SW today. I'll drain water from tank into rubbermaides and place live rock and corals in these, with a couple powerheads. Fish will go in another with a couple pieces of live rock to keep them company...lol.
I'll also be purchasing some egg crate today...lol. I'm doing it right this time. I'll lay egg crate on bottom of tank, place base rock and then sand. I probably won't utilize all of my sand this time, making it a little shallower than it was. I'll remove the top layer of sand carefully to keep from stirring it up too much, and keep it separate. The rest of sand will be rinsed well before putting it back in tank.
This will also give me a chance to remove my Strawberry Psuedochromis and fix my refugium...lol. Recently, 2 pieces of my bubble trap came loose (bad silicone job) and it's allowed sand into the portion that contains my return pump. When my water level drops, it sucks up sand and blows it into the tank!!!
Anyone have any advice or suggestions??? Wish me luck!!! I'll post before and after pics. Keep your fingers crossed that nothing disastrous happens before tomorrow!!!
I woke up this morning, fed Coral Frenzy a couple hours before lights come on. As I was feeding, I noticed something out of place, but couldn't quite make it out without lights. After lights came on, I realized what was out of place. A LOT OF SAND!!! It would appear that my Pistol Shrimp has relocated overnight and dug a HUGE tunnel, undermining some rock.
Had I set up my 75 correctly, this wouldn't be a problem. However, I didn't...lol. When I set it up, I didn't realize the importance of placing Rock and then sand. Now I'm realizing the folly of my mistake. My tank was set up by placing the sand in first, and then aquascaping the rock on the sand. Most of the base rock was kinda pushed down into the sand, but I can see a possible disaster in the makings. Soooo, time to do a major re-aquascape.
I'm planning this for tomorrow when Madison's in daycare...lol. Otherwise, she'll want to help and that just won't work. I have several large rubbermaide containers and 2 32 gallon garbage cans to utilize. I'm making up one of the garbage cans full of SW today. I'll drain water from tank into rubbermaides and place live rock and corals in these, with a couple powerheads. Fish will go in another with a couple pieces of live rock to keep them company...lol.
I'll also be purchasing some egg crate today...lol. I'm doing it right this time. I'll lay egg crate on bottom of tank, place base rock and then sand. I probably won't utilize all of my sand this time, making it a little shallower than it was. I'll remove the top layer of sand carefully to keep from stirring it up too much, and keep it separate. The rest of sand will be rinsed well before putting it back in tank.
This will also give me a chance to remove my Strawberry Psuedochromis and fix my refugium...lol. Recently, 2 pieces of my bubble trap came loose (bad silicone job) and it's allowed sand into the portion that contains my return pump. When my water level drops, it sucks up sand and blows it into the tank!!!
Anyone have any advice or suggestions??? Wish me luck!!! I'll post before and after pics. Keep your fingers crossed that nothing disastrous happens before tomorrow!!!
If I was off tomorrow I would come help, but not off til tuesday
